Fun, camaraderie and the spirit of competition are returning to the Wabigoon river for a great cause in 2010.

The Dryden Kinsmen Club are proud to announce that registration is now open for the 2010 Dryden Dragon Boat Festival. The 6th annual Moosefest event, held on Canada Day, benefits Dryden Regional Health Centre’s Still Me Program.

Kinsmen president Brad Coles says he expects competition for the event’s Centennial title will be fierce. Defending the 2009 title are Spicer’s Snipers – a team made up of members from the Dryden Police Service.

“We’re looking for another good event,” said Coles. “The competition seems to heat up every year. We have a couple of rivalries going – the MNR, The Ski Patrol and the Police (Spicer’s Snipers). We’re hoping that will continue.”

Downloadable team registration forms, race rules and sponsor sheets are available online at www.dryden-dragonboats.ca

Practices preceding the event will begin June 21, allowing teams to get a feel for each other and work on their race strategies.

The event’s official charity, the Still Me program, began in 2006 through Dryden Regional Health Centre’s Oncology Unit. The program offers free two-hour workshops for people who are undergoing cancer treatment based on the concept that if a person living with cancer can be helped to look good, their improved self image will help them to approach cancer and its treatment with greater confidence.

-Chris Marchand